Kelowna, BC (April 29, 2019) – Construction employers in the Southern Interior region were introduced to the province’s newest Builders Code Advisor today at a Contractor Breakfast in Kelowna as part of BC Construction Month. The Builders Code Advisor’s role is to help address diversity and harassment issues on worksites by supporting employers who wish to improve retention rates but lack needed HR skills and resources.

Builders Code Advisor Diane Jolicoeur is
a Kelowna-based certified professional coach and consultant in career
transition and displacement. Her extensive experience and expertise in human
resources includes employee relations, specialized recruitment, HR strategy and
development, and workshop development and facilitation. She currently
also consults for Okanagan College Women in Trades Training as a mentor and
advisor. Today’s breakfast was held at the College.

“As a partner in the Builders
Code and a strong supporter of its goals to increase the retention of tradeswomen,
and all apprentices, by eliminating hazing, harassment, and bullying on B.C.
worksites, the Southern Interior Construction Association is very pleased to
introduce Diane to our membership,” said Jason Henderson, CEO, SICA. “Our
employers in the Southern Interior recognize that by setting a standard code of
conduct for construction worksites, the Builders Code will help them increase
safety and productivity at their sites. Attracting and retaining employees,
especially tradeswomen, is key issue throughout our region and industry so it’s
a definite benefit for our members to have access to a skilled HR professional
that can help them develop and implement HR policies and address worksite
issues before they escalate.”

Across the province, more than 23,000 construction companies have 20
employees or less. Supported by the BC
Construction Safety Alliance (BCCSA) and BC Construction Association Employee
Benefit Trust (BCCAEBT), Builders Code Advisors serve as expert coaches for BC construction employers as they strive to
navigate escalating HR situations on the job site that arise from a lack of
clearly defined equity or inclusion policies. The goal is to assist employers
in resolving situations fairly, quickly, and productively for all parties, and in
the process improve the employer’s ability to confidently communicate
expectations and manage such situations independently in future.

“Construction employers throughout B.C.
want to improve the culture on their sites and effectively manage harassment and
bullying situations,” said Chris Atchison, President, BCCA. “Providing
experienced HR advisors like Diane to work with them one on one is a powerful
opportunity. More than 50 employers have already signed on to the Builders Code
in its first weeks.”

“I look forward to supporting
construction employers in the southern interior region to modernize the
industry culture,” said Joliecoeur. “My philosophy is to empower people to
come to their own decisions, and my approach is to provide expertise and advice
without judgement.”

The Builders Code Advisors are part of a
comprehensive suite of tools for employers available at www.builderscode.ca that includes: downloadable policies and
posters, training, employer scorecards and awards, and a worksite “Don’t be a
Tool” awareness campaign.

The Builders Code recognizes that every
tradesperson on a worksite is affected by stress and distraction caused by
bullying, hazing and harassment. It’s expected that by demonstrating to
employers the benefits of an improving worksite culture and providing them with
the tools they need to affect change, retention rates will improve and help to
erase B.C.’s projected skilled labour shortage of 7,900 workers by 2028.

“When you consider the
significant role stress plays in worksite accidents, it’s clear that hazing,
harassment and bullying are important safety issues,” said Michael McKenna, Executive Director, BCCSA. “As an organization
that provides straightforward and practical
assistance to help contractors meet their health and safety needs and
requirements, the Builders Code Advisors is an essential component of the services and training we offer construction employers.”

“Our mission is to be an innovative provider of employee benefits to our
clients, so that they can recruit, protect and retain their talented people,” added
Arthur Chung, CEO, BCCAEBT. “We’re
incredibly excited that there will be much needed support to empower
construction industry employers to build a safe and inclusive work culture.
Having a Builders Code Advisors in place marks the culmination of the extensive
dedication and hard work put in by the BCCA and all of the partners on the
Builders Code project.”

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The Builders Code is an initiative of the Construction Workforce Equity Project.

About The Builders Code

The Builders Code is a standard code of conduct for workers on construction sites in BC. It defines an “Acceptable Worksite” as the starting point for reducing risk and ensuring a safe and productive environment for all workers.

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